The town council's contribution to funding the CCTV system in town narrowly escaped being rejected Monday night (10th November).

The Finance and Policy Committee, who are making recommendations to full council on next year's budget, voted by six votes to five to recommend keeping the £12,600 payment towards maintaining the seven CCTV cameras around the town.

Opinions were divided on continuing the funding as councillors put forward reasons for and against funding the scheme any further.

Councillor Graham Pritchard pointed out that both Anglesey and Cardiganshire had decided not to continue supporting their local schemes and the police commissioner for their area stepped in and took over the payments.

With only having to give three months notice to quit the scheme in Monmouth, it looked for a while that the committee was going to pull out.

But Cllrs Bob Hayward and Stuart Wilson both argued that the scheme was successful and helped to keep the level of crime down.

The 1,300 named petition by Monmouth residents was hailed by Cllr Jane Gunter as an example of a need for continuing to support the scheme although she said she was not too keen on the scheme herself.

As they are only two years into a three year 'promise' councillors decided to make the third payment this coming financial year, but will have another look at the scheme in 12 months time.